Leon Black Walks Out of Congressional Hearing, Faces Subpoenas Over Epstein NDAs

Billionaire investor Leon Black walked out of a closed-door House Oversight Committee hearing on Friday after refusing to answer questions about non-disclosure agreements linked to Jeffrey Epstein, prompting Chairman James Comer to immediately issue two subpoenas demanding Black's deposition and production of the NDAs. Black, whose name appeared in millions of justice department files released regarding Epstein's activities, had initially appeared voluntarily to testify before the panel investigating the late financier's connections to wealthy and powerful individuals.

Comer stated that the NDAs are central to the committee's investigation, specifically seeking to determine whether Epstein was involved in writing the agreements, awarding funds to women in connection with them, or understanding their purpose. "The NDAs are between him and other women," Comer told reporters. "We want to know was Jeffrey Epstein involved in the NDAs? Was he involved in writing? Was he involved in awarding funds to the women for the NDAs?" Representatives from both parties, including Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia, supported the subpoenas, with Garcia emphasizing that "the NDAs are central to us understanding what actually happened." The episode marked the first time in 16 closed-door interviews conducted by the committee that a witness walked out mid-hearing.

In his opening statement, Black denied wrongdoing and claimed he was unaware of Epstein's criminal activities until July 2019 when Epstein was charged with sex trafficking. He stated: "I have never abused a woman. I have never been with an underage woman. I have never engaged in sex trafficking. I have never paid Epstein for access to women. I was never blackmailed by Epstein." Black acknowledged knowing about Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor but said Epstein had explained it as an isolated incident involving a fake ID, adding "I wish I had not" given him a second chance. He expressed sympathy for Epstein's victims, saying "I feel terrible for Epstein's victims."

Black's legal team, represented by attorney Susan Estrich, characterized the committee's action as "a planned political stunt" and claimed that "the committee did not ask a single question about the legitimate payments to Epstein for professional services on tax and estate matters." According to Black's prepared remarks and legal filings, he paid Epstein approximately $158–170 million over their association, which Black has consistently described as compensation for tax and estate planning services. A Senate Finance Committee investigation examined whether Black had intentionally overpaid Epstein to cloak personal payments as financial services, while an internal Apollo investigation concluded the fees were legitimate.

Black's past relationship with Epstein has been scrutinized for years, intensifying after the justice department releases in late 2024 and early 2025. According to records, Epstein provided financial services to Black between 2012 and 2017, and Black became Epstein's largest client after Epstein's 2008 guilty plea. Court documents revealed Black had engaged Epstein's advice regarding personal matters, including a six-year affair with former Russian model Guzel Ganieva. Ganieva later filed a lawsuit alleging Black prepared an NDA in 2015 to secure her silence, and Epstein had advised Black on approaching her; the lawsuit was dismissed. Black left his position as chair and CEO of Apollo Global Management in 2021 amid intensifying scrutiny over his Epstein ties. Black has not stated whether he will comply with the subpoenas.